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“Desperate” death slammed

A UK report has criticised lax safety practices on a tug from which a crewman fell to his death in rough seas.

The unnamed seafarer plunged into the water
off Beach Head from the Endurance on the night of 5 February, 2013.

He was attempting to cross to the unmanned motor
cruiser Sirius M with a replacement towline after the original line connecting
the two vessels had parted.

He soon lost consciousness and disappeared
from view. His body washed up 11 weeks later.

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch
(MAIB) called the attempt “a desperate and ill-considered measure brought about
by the use of poor towing practices, a disregard of the weather forecasts, and
a lack of planning, risk assessment and emergency preparedness.”

Endurance was not certified to operate in
the sea conditions experienced and the captain was not qualified to operate the
vessel around the coast

Neither was he trained or qualified in
towing operations.

MAIB added that decision-making and
behaviour on board were likely to have been affected by fatigue.

“Safety was afforded a low priority on
board,” it said. The dead man was not wearing a lifejacket.

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“Desperate” death slammed

A UK report has criticised lax safety practices on a tug from which a crewman fell to his death in rough seas.

The unnamed seafarer plunged into the water
off Beach Head from the Endurance on the night of 5 February, 2013.

He was attempting to cross to the unmanned motor
cruiser Sirius M with a replacement towline after the original line connecting
the two vessels had parted.

He soon lost consciousness and disappeared
from view. His body washed up 11 weeks later.

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch
(MAIB) called the attempt “a desperate and ill-considered measure brought about
by the use of poor towing practices, a disregard of the weather forecasts, and
a lack of planning, risk assessment and emergency preparedness.”

Endurance was not certified to operate in
the sea conditions experienced and the captain was not qualified to operate the
vessel around the coast

Neither was he trained or qualified in
towing operations.

MAIB added that decision-making and
behaviour on board were likely to have been affected by fatigue.

“Safety was afforded a low priority on
board,” it said. The dead man was not wearing a lifejacket.